Animal-related factors associated with piglet mortality in a bedded, group-farrowing system

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Z. Li ◽  
J. E. Anderson ◽  
L. J. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Individual Weight ◽  
Piglet Mortality ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Cross Fostering ◽  
Size At Birth

Li, Y. Z., Anderson, J. E. and Johnston, L. J. 2012. Animal-related factors associated with piglet mortality in a bedded, group-farrowing system. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 11–20. To understand pre-weaning mortality of piglets in a bedded, group-farrowing system, associations with sow parity, mortality of piglets during the first 24 h after birth, farrowing behavior, cross-fostering, birth weight and gender of piglets were investigated. Sows (n=169, parity 1 to 10) from eight contemporary groups were evaluated. Litter size at birth, dead piglets from birth to weaning, and individual weight of piglets at birth and weaning (27±2.6 d) were recorded. Behavior of 46 focal sows during farrowing was video-recorded. Piglet mortality within litter increased (P<0.001) with increasing parity. Piglets that died before weaning were lighter (P<0.001) at birth than weaned piglets. Mortality of pigs during the first 24 h postpartum was correlated positively with pre-weaning mortality within litter (R2=0.34; P<0.001). Farrowing behaviors were not associated with piglet mortality, and were not different among sows of different parities, or between sows with and without 24 h piglet mortality. Gender of piglets and cross-fostering did not affect piglet mortality. Results indicate that parity, 24 h mortality, and birth weight of piglets were the major animal-related factors associated with piglet mortality in the loose farrowing system studied.

scholarly journals Effect of farrowing pen size on pre-weaning performance of piglets

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Austin L Laudwig ◽  
Aaron M Gaines ◽  
Beau A Peterson ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Commercial Production ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Pig Production ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Cross Fostering ◽  
Size At Birth

Abstract Litter sizes in commercial pig production have increased substantially over recent years; however, farrowing pen sizes have generally not changed over the same time period. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of farrowing pen size on piglet pre-weaning growth and mortality. Differences in pen size were created by varying the width of pens of the same length, increasing the creep area available to the piglets. The study used a total of 1,786 litters in a randomized complete block design to compare two Farrowing Pen Size treatments (FPS): Standard (pen width 1.52 m) and Increased (pen width 1.68 m). Litter sizes were equalized across treatments (12.9 ± 1.95 piglets) at 24 h after birth using cross-fostering. Litter weights were collected at birth and weaning (21.3 ± 2.08 d); pre-weaning mortality was recorded. The experimental unit was the litter; models included FPS and replicate. Farrowing Pen Size had no effect (P &gt; 0.05) on litter size at birth (12.8 and 13.0 for the Standard and Increased FPS, respectively), after cross-fostering (12.9 for both treatments), or at weaning (11.2 and 11.3, respectively). There was no effect (P &gt; 0.05) of FPS on total litter or average piglet weight at birth, after cross-fostering, and at weaning. These results suggest no benefit in piglet performance from increasing the width of farrowing pens. As litter sizes continue to increase in commercial production, further research is warranted to re-evaluate the impact of farrowing pen size on pre-weaning mortality.

A two-diet system and ad libitum lactation feeding of the sow. 2. Litter size and piglet performance

1996 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Neil ◽  
B. Ogle
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Feeding Regime ◽  
Conventional Diet ◽  
Feeding Regimes ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Piglet Mortality ◽  
Treatment Mortality

AbstractSixty gilts were allotted to one of the following feeding regimes: CR, a conventional diet offered at a restricted level according to Swedish feeding standards; SA, a simplified gestation diet (mainly oats and barley) offered at a restricted level and a conventional diet offered ad libitum during lactation; CA, a conventional gestation diet offered at a restricted level and the same diet offered ad libitum during lactation. The sows were followed for four parities. Piglet birth weight was unaffected by sow feeding, but differences in piglet live weight were found from 3 weeks of age to the end of the experiment when the piglets were 9 weeks old. CA piglets were heavier than SA piglets at 3 and 9 weeks of age and heavier than both CR and SA piglets at weaning (35 ± 3 days). Litter size was unaffected by treatment as was piglet mortality, whereas the cause of death varied with treatment. Mortality due to trauma was higher among CA piglets than among others, while mortality due to weakness was higher among SA piglets than others and there was also a tendency for higher mortality due to diarrhoea among CR piglets. It was concluded that the CA feeding regime was superior with regards to piglet performance.

scholarly journals Risk Factors Associated With Childhood Stunting in Rwanda: A Secondary Analysis of the 2014 Nutrition, Markets and Gender (NMG) Survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Lauriane Nyiraneza ◽  
Rex Wong ◽  
Olushayo Olu ◽  
Marie-Rosette Nahimana ◽  
Eliud Birachi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Children's Nutrition ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Childhood Stunting

Childhood stunting can have negative health, social, and economic outcomes. In 2015, 37.9% of children under the age of five were stunted in Rwanda. This study aimed to understand the risk factors associated with stunting specific to Rwanda in order to inform effective interventions.The analysis found higher odds of stunting among the children of mothers who had no education compared to those with secondary education (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.34-3.36), who did not take sufficient quantities of food during the pregnancy (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.07-1.65) or did not consume a diverse diet during pregnancy (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.12-1.73). Children living in households with two or more children under two years of age (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.35-2.50), born with low birth weight (OR: 2.8, 95 CI: 1.67-4.27), born preterm (OR: 4.1, 95 CI: 1.96-8.70), not consuming animal proteins (OR: 1.7 CI: 1.49-2.02) and not drinking treated water (OR: 1.6, CI: 1.07-2.23) all have higher odds of developing stunting. Children living in households with low dietary diversity also had higher odds of stunting (OR: 2.2 CI: 1.23-3.88).The results of the analysis suggested that women should be educated to modify their feeding behavior. Educating women can potentially influence their decision-making related to antenatal care (ANC) service attendance and to their own as well as their children’s nutrition needs. Appropriate birth spacing should be encouraged. Providing nutritional supplements to mothers at ANC appointments, increasing access to diverse food groups, and providing nutritional care for babies with low birth weight are potential interventions to address the issue of childhood stunting in Rwanda.

A note on the effect of white-flowered peas on sow reproductive performance

1993 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-158
Author(s):  
R. B. Ogle ◽  
K. Annér
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Soya Bean ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Bean Meal ◽  
Piglet Mortality ◽  
Natal Mortality ◽  
Soya Bean Meal ◽  
Size At Birth

The effect on sow reproductive performance of including 100 g white-flowered peas (Pisum sativum hortense, cv. Vreta and Lotta) per kg, replacing barley, wheat and soya-bean meal in gestation and lactation diets, was studied over four parities using 24 pairs of crossbred littermate sows. Net sow weight gains and changes in backfat thickness over the complete reproductive cycle were similar for both treatments. Piglet live-weight gains and mean litter size at birth were not influenced by treatment, although litter size at weaning was 0·5 pigs higher (P > 0·05) for the control sows, due to higher post-natal mortality rate in the litters from the sows given the pea diets. It can be concluded that inclusion of white-flowered peas at a rate of 100 g/kg had no adverse effect on reproductive performance, with the exception of slightly higher post-natal piglet mortality.

FAILURE OF A 16 h L:8 h D or AN 8 h L:16 h D PHOTOPERIOD TO INFLUENCE LACTATION OR REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN SOWS

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. GREENBERG ◽  
J. P. MAHONE
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Short Photoperiod ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Natural Lighting ◽  
Long Photoperiod ◽  
Size At Birth

Forty-one sows were divided into two groups where animals were either exposed to a long photoperiod (16 h L:8 h D) or a short photoperiod (8 h L:16 h D) 1 mo before parturition. One month prior to the following parturition, sows were switched to the opposite light treatment and maintained on this treatment until the following estrus. Birth weight and litter size at birth of piglets conceived under natural lighting (15.4 h L) did not significantly differ from piglets conceived under a 16 h L or 8 h L photoperiod. Litter size at weaning and weight of piglets did not significantly differ for receiving a 16 h L or an 8 h L regime followed by the opposite treatment. The length of time to return to heat from weaning to next estrus was unaffected by photoperiod. The results from this experiment indicate that photoperiods of 16 h L:8 h D or 8 h L:16 h D have no influence on reproductive efficiency or lactation in sows. Key words: Light, photoperiod, production, swine, sows

Late pregnancy ewe feeding and lamb performance in early life. 2. Factors associated with perinatal lamb mortality

1979 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Khalaf ◽  
D. L. Doxey ◽  
J. T. Baxter ◽  
W. J. M. Black ◽  
J. FitzSimons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Gamma Globulin ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Total Serum Protein ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Average Litter Size

ABSTRACTSome factors affecting perinatal lamb mortality were studied with 63 Finn × Dorset Horn ewes and 85 Scottish Half bred and Greyface ewes, having an average litter size of 2·26. Total perinatal lamb mortality averaged 29 % of which 44% were stillborn, 1 % attributed to dystocia, 35 % died between birth and 48 h of age, 14 % from 48 h to 10 days, and 5 % after 10 days.For the Finn × Dorset ewes, the 41 viable twin lambs weighed at birth 3·47 kg and 12 twin lambs which did not survive weighed 2·51 kg. Triplet weights were: viable 2·98 kg (34 lambs) and nonsurviving 2·00 kg (14). Quadruplet weights were: viable 2·79 kg (12) and non-surviving 1·90 kg (16). Quintuplet and sextuplet weights were: viable 2·45 kg (2) and non-surviving 1·35 kg (14).In the aggregated Halfbred and Greyface breeds, viable twin lambs weighed 4·5 kg at birth (91) and non-surviving 3·64 kg (11). Viable triplets weighed 3·77 kg (23) and non-surviving 2·68 kg (16).Serum gamma-globulin and total serum protein values were lower in the lambs which failed to survive, and this was particularly marked with triplets. Fractionating the gamma-globulins (IgG) indicated that IgGi was particularly low in non-viable lambs.Litter size, lamb birth weight, and colostrum intake by the lamb had important effects on perinatal lamb mortality.

scholarly journals Effect of dietary l-carnitine supplementation to sows during gestation and/or lactation on sow productivity, muscle maturation and lifetime growth in progeny from large litters

2020 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56
Author(s):  
Hazel B. Rooney ◽  
K. O’Driscoll ◽  
P. Silacci ◽  
G. Bee ◽  
J. V. O’Doherty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Muscle Development ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Carnitine Supplementation ◽  
Semitendinosus Muscle ◽  
Myosin Heavy Chain Genes ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Size At Birth

AbstractGenetic selection for increased sow prolificacy has resulted in decreased mean piglet birth weight. This study aimed to investigate the effect of l-carnitine (CAR) supplementation to sows during gestation and/or lactation on sow productivity, semitendinosus muscle (STM) maturity and lifetime growth in progeny. Sixty-four sows were randomly assigned to one of the four dietary treatments at breeding until weaning: CONTROL (0 mg CAR/d), GEST (125 mg CAR/d during gestation), LACT (250 mg CAR/d during lactation) and BOTH (125 mg CAR/d during gestation and 250 mg CAR/d during lactation). The total number of piglets born per litter was greater for sows supplemented with CAR during gestation (17·3 v. 15·8 (sem 0·52); P < 0·05). Piglet birth weight (total and live) was unaffected by sow treatment (P > 0·05). Total myofibre number (P = 0·08) and the expression level of selected myosin heavy chain genes in the STM (P < 0·05) were greater in piglets of sows supplemented with CAR during gestation. Pigs from sows supplemented with CAR during gestation had lighter carcasses at slaughter than pigs from non-supplemented sows during gestation (83·8 v. 86·7 (sem 0·86) kg; P < 0·05). In conclusion, CAR supplementation during gestation increased litter size at birth without compromising piglet birth weight. Results also showed that the STM of piglets born to sows supplemented with CAR during gestation was more developed at birth. However, carcass weight at slaughter was reduced in progeny of sows supplemented with CAR during gestation. The CAR supplementation strategy applied during gestation in this study could be utilised by commercial pork producers to increase sow litter size and improve offspring muscle development.

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